Austrian President Proud of the Coptic Church, Calls for Spreading of Religious Tolerance

Austrian President Hans Fischer stressed that the Coptic Church works to spread peace throughout the world and consolidate love and tolerance between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.

He called on Arab countries to respect human rights and freedoms in addition to spreading a culture of religious tolerance. The President noted that Europe does not interfere in the internal policies of Arabic countries, but that does not prevent its support.

He expressed his pleasure that Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawadros II chose Austria to be one of his first stops in his foreign activities after his enthronement. He clarified that religions and Christian doctrines in the Middle East perform a notable role in spreading tolerance and supporting peaceful coexistence with Muslims of the Arab region.

He stressed that the Arab countries should commit to international charters, raising the necessity of suspending crimes and serious violations to the international community.

"The Arab Spring should continue on the road to democracy through a decision from their national will. It is difficult to impose a specific model on Arab countries, whether from Europe or any international powers," Fischer said in a statement.

He stressed the need for restoring peace and stability to halt political conflicts and called on political currents in Syria, Iraq, Egypt and the other countries of the region to end the violence and bloodshed.

"The Arab World faces serious challenges during the current period due to the current state of instability that followed the Arab spring revolutions that overthrew the political regimes that continued ruling these countries for decades," Fischer told Mideast Christian News.

He called on the countries of the Arab spring for resuming their efforts to achieve freedom and change, but he warned of internal and sectarian conflicts.

"The Arab region needs to achieve inclusive development, to raise the standard of living of the citizens and provide basic services. The current internal and sectarian conflicts will not allow the achievement these objectives. The current rulers and officials should work to achieve democratic and political reform in parallel with achieving such development," he added.

He stressed the necessity of achieving political stability to pave the way for development and economic recovery. He added that innocent people pay the price of the current political and religious conflict.